Had a great walk at Barton on Sea today and saw the bird in the attached photo (sorry but haven't set up an account yet so still a thumbnail). Had a definate rufous back (colour of a Red Kite) and about the size of a small thrush with a speckled breast, black eye and brownish legs. Any ideas of what it was would be gratefully received.    

Only thrush type bird i can think of to match this would be a Veery, a very rare vagrant to the UK only about 20 records.

Hi Nothumberland
Thanks very much for the suggestion. I've looked at images in Google and this is a definate possibility. My book says it is shy, which this one definately didnt seem to be and I don't remember it's head as being quite as rufous as the rest of it but colours do vary of course. Only thing is, it doesnt seem very likely to be a Veery if it is so rare here, does it? . I will live in hopes that it was though (lol)

The thing about birds is they don't read books, and I'm often surprised about what turns up where, and how it acts. Its why i love this hobby, it keeps me on my toes.

hope you can get a positive ID.

regards brian.

Thanks Brian - I agree re this hobby - you never know what is going to turn up! Still trying for the ID but some photos of Veerys look very very like!

difficult to say from the pic, couldnt it be a Fieldfare though ?

Hi Ian
I really don't know. I've never seen a Fieldfare but looked at them as one of the possibilities and certainly wouldnt rule them out. I don't know whether they go on cliff tops or would be that close to the sea as he was right at the edge of the rocks at one time but there is a golf course to the side of the path (sea on the other side) where it might have come from. As usual, none of the photos I look at look exactly right. I think there should be a law passed that all birds have to have their name tatooed on their foreheads (lol)....especially lbjs. Thanks for the suggestion

This was the other photo I saw of the bird - not much better than the other one but might give an idea of the size and terrain.

I have tried playing with your photos, but just cant resolve much more than you have captured.
Dont feel its a Fieldfare wrong coloured back, lack of eyestripe also rules out Redwing.

It seems to have a smooth coloured chest and small round spots, its the back colour thats got me confused.
May just have to let this go as ID unknown.

Thanks for trying - afraid they aren't very good. Story of my life with birds in the UK at the moment. Seeing lots but what are they all????

Could it be a Rock Pipit with some unusual colours?

Hi Ian
I didn't think so at the time but memory is fading - think I'll have to wait and hope I see it again sometime.

Looks like a summer Plumage Rock Pipit to me.

Rock Pipit seems to be the general consensus - thanks everyone